The Queen’s Scotch Pancakes (Drop Scones) – Queen Elizabeth II loved these little pancakes, as did President Eisenhower when he was staying at Balmoral as a guest of the Queen.
A Recipe in Memory of HM Queen Elizabeth II
Like thousands of other British people, I was quite simply heatbroken to hear of our lovely Queen’s passing last week, on Thursday the 8th September.
I posted a simple comment and the above photo of the late monarch on my Instagram page, and then over the last week I have been reflecting on what she meant to me.
This is what I wrote: Our wonderful and beloved Queen has left us, she is all I’ve known, all my life, and her duty, dedication and service was exemplary – a lesson to us all. RIP Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 – 2022
Today’s recipe for The Queen’s Scotch Pancakes (Drop Scones) is a recipe I’ve been making for decades, as did my mother and grandmother.
However, I also know that our late Queen, Elizabeth II loved these little pancakes, and that these drop scones were served by Her Majesty to President Eisenhower when he stayed at Balmoral.
Moreover, he enjoyed them so much apparently, that she sent him the recipe.
I normally make mine from my old BeRo cookbook. But in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II, I’m sharing her recipe today – the very same recipe that was given to President Eisenhower all those years ago.
Drop Scones, or Scotch Pancakes are also called Dropped Scones, Griddle Cakes or Piklelets. They are easy to make and make a lovely after-school snack, breakfast dish, tea time treat or a dessert dish.
I have shared The Queen’s recipe for her Scotch Pancakes (Drop Scones) in a printable recipe card below, and you can see my BeRo recipe here: Drop Scones (Scotch Pancakes)
Letter from HM Queen Elizabeth to President Eisenhower
Notes:
HM the Queen’s recipe for Drop Scones (Scotch Pancakes) as sent to President Eisenhower in 1960.
A standard British teacup (not coffee cup) usually holds 150ml/1/4 pint or 65g/2.3ozs.
In the Queen’s letter to President Eisenhower, she mentions that these little pancakes are delicious with syrup (probably golden syrup) or treacle.
More Recipes from The Queen
Delectable little jam penny sandwiches, perfect for a Royal tea party, Jubilee street party or for the children’s tea or supper. I have used fluffy white bread in my sandwiches as shown in the photo, and some rather good raspberry jam. However, strawberry and mixed berry jam is also fabulous in these dainty little sandwiches, as is lemon curd for citrus lovers. Jam Pennies are famously attributed to HM the Queen, as one of her favourite afternoon tea sandwiches.
My recipe today for The Queen’s Chocolate Biscuit Cake is a variation on one I have been making for years, without realising that it was Her Majesty the Queen’s favourite cake. It was a favourite for birthday parties and the cake tin, with my daughter taking a small square to school in her lunch box sometimes. Apparently, Her Majesty is so fond of this recipe for The Queen’s Chocolate Biscuit Cake, that she has it daily in the afternoon with a cuppa, and will enjoy a slice every day until it is all gone. I love this idea that The Queen is a bit of a chocoholic, and enjoys a simple no-bake cake above other more complex cakes.
- Victoria Scones for a Jubilee Tea
- Royal Elderflower & Lemon Curd Butterfly Cakes
- Condensed Milk Cake
- Red, White & Blue Strawberries and Cream Jubilee Cakes
These classic British cakes or buns, have appeared in numerous old cookbooks and even on the popular television series “Larkrise to Candleford”, as well as in the book of the same name; they are the original “cup cake” and hide a guilty secret, as there is a goodly slug of brandy in them, which adds to their culinary charms! The addition of ground rice is optional, but I remember my grandmother adding ground rice to cakes, for a delicious added texture.
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Recipe for The Queen’s Scotch Pancakes (Drop Scones)
The Queen’s Scotch Pancakes (Drop Scones)
I’ve been making these for decades, as did my mother and grandmother; but I also know that our late Queen, Elizabeth II loved these little pancakes, and that these drop scones were served by Her Majesty to President Eisenhower at Balmoral.
He apparently enjoyed them so much that she sent him the recipe!
I normally make mine from my old BeRo cookbook, but in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II, I’m sharing her recipe today, the very same recipe that was given to President Eisenhower all those years ago.
Ingredients
- 4 teacups of flour
- 4 tablespoons caster sugar
- 2 teacups milk
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
- 3 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
1. Beat eggs, sugar and about half the milk together, add flour and mix well together adding remainder of milk as required, also bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar.
2. Fold in the melted butter.
3. Heat the griddle over a medium heat and grease with butter. Using a dessert spoon or small ladle, carefully pour spoonfuls of the batter on to the griddle.
4. After one side has cooked, flip the scones with a palette knife to cook the other.
5. Serve warm with butter, golden syrup, treacle and or preserves.
Notes
HM the Queen's recipe for Drop Scones (Scotch Pancakes) as sent to President Eisenhower in 1960.
A standard British teacup (not coffee cup) usually holds 150ml/1/4 pint or 65g/2.3ozs.
In the Queen's letter to President Eisenhower, she mentions that these little pancakes are delicious with syrup (probably golden syrup) or treacle.
Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 165Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 30mgSodium 36mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 1gSugar 5gProtein 5g
Gallery of HM Queen Elizabeth II
Melissa says
I’m so sorry. She was truly marvelous, a model of service and grace and fortitude. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe – I look forward to making these in her honor.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you so much – we will not see the like of her again – she was a one off.
Melissa says
She certainly was. Broke the mold, as they say. I’m so pleased and impressed by everyone’s thoughtful and loving memories of her, and by the beautiful funeral arrangements. I hope she would have approved.
Pat Nicholson says
So very saddened about the passing of our Queen, As youngsters My brother and I were regularly picked up from our boarding school by our mother and taken up to London to visit friends of our parents who had a residence on one of the Royal ceremonial route. Now living in Canada I was delighted to take my Brownie pack to see her at the Parliament buildings on one of her ceremonial visits to Canada always very excited to see her and we will all miss her.
Karen Burns-Booth says
She loved Canada so much
Pat Nicholson says
So Very saddened by the passing of our wonderful Queen Elizabeth 1st.. During one of her earlier formal visits to Canada I was delighted to take my local Brownie Pack to the Ottawa Parliament Buildings, to see her with much excitement. Many years ago while a youngster I do remember being collected with my brother from our Boarding school near Brighton, by our mother and taken up to London to cheer the Royal carriage! going by. Must have been a Special Event?? I cannot remember the specific occasion. We all honour her for her diligence to her duty to her Country and wonderful demeanor will truly miss her.
Best Regards
Pat Nicholson
Karen Burns-Booth says
What wonderful memories and how fabulous you saw her in the royal carriage too!
Thanks for sharing
Karen
Emily says
How lovely that you reproduce here the Queen’s letter in her own hand to President Eisenhower, along with a photo of the recipe she relied on. Very special to see, and to read her own advice about making and adapting this recipe. Thank you!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you Emily – such a lovely recipe and one I’ve been making for years and years, who knew Queen Elizabeth also loved these little pancakes too.
Emilia says
We had this for breakfast yesterday in honour of the late queen. Leftovers was eaten cold. All of it was delicious and will definitely be made again. Thanks for a lovely story.
Karen Burns-Booth says
That’s lovely Emilia – thank you for taking the time to stop by and let me know! Karen